The Three Branches of Government

Written by: Sitara Nair

You might’ve heard of the three branches of the United States’ government: judicial, executive, and legislative, but do you really know what they are about? These branches were specifically designed to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.  Let’s keep reading so we can learn together!

The system of checks and balances in the government allows each branch to respond to the actions of the others. The executive branch, headed by the president (we will learn more about this soon), has the power to veto legislation passed by Congress and also nominates federal agency heads and Supreme Court justices. Congress plays a crucial role by confirming or rejecting the president's nominations, and in exceptional cases, it can remove the president from office. The Supreme Court, whose justices are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate, has the authority to overturn laws that are deemed unconstitutional. This ensures that no single branch becomes too powerful, and maintains a balance within the government. 

The Legislative Branch

The legislative branch is composed of Congress, made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Congress primarily creates and passes laws that affect the entire country. It is a bicameral legislature, meaning it has two parts: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The legislative branch’s key roles include drafting proposed laws, confirming or rejecting presidential nominations for heads of federal agencies, federal judges, and the Supreme Court, surveying the budget, and having the authority to declare war. 

The Executive Branch

The United States government’s executive branch is headed by the President, who serves as both the head of state and the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. Supporting the president is the vice president, who assumes the presidency if the current president is unable to serve. Additionally, the vice president presides over the U.S. Senate and is responsible for breaking tie votes. The cabinet, made up of the vice president, heads of various executive departments, and other high-ranking officials, is an advisory body to the president. The president nominates these cabinet members and requires Senate approval. Beyond the cabinet, the executive branch also makes up numerous entities, including executive departments, independent agencies, and various boards, commissions, and committees, all of which function to support the administration's responsibilities.

The Judicial Branch

The judicial branch is responsible for interpreting laws, applying them to real-life situations, and determining whether laws violate the Constitution or not. The top of this branch is the United States Supreme Court, the nation’s highest court, consisting of nine justices appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. These justices serve for life, allowing them to make decisions without pressure. The court hears cases that have moved up from lower federal or state courts, usually of great importance. Its main role is to interpret the Constitution and ensure that the actions of the other branches (Congress and the President) do not exceed their authority, and this power is called judicial review. 

Overall, the three branches of government each play unique and interconnected roles in running the United States. Through their system of checks and balances, one branch will never be too powerful, protecting democracy and ensuring the rights and freedoms of citizens!